WA HB2264

Employees who volunteer for employer-announced layoffs or workforce reductions on or after June 14, 2026, are deemed unemployed "through no fault of their own" and eligible for unemployment insurance benefits

Eligibility requires the employer to initiate the process by announcing in writing a planned workforce reduction and inviting employees to volunteer for inclusion

Employers may allow employees to rescind their volunteer offer without affecting benefit eligibility, as long as the original separation requirements were met

Provisions do not apply to early retirement incentives or early separation programs that do not follow the formal written announcement process

Passed unanimously: House 94-0 on February 10, 2026; Senate 48-0 on March 6, 2026